Boston Celtics hoped to make bigger moves this offseason
The Boston Celtics entered the 2014 loaded with assets to make a potential deal. They have plenty of young talent, including big man Jared Sullinger, center Kelly Olynyk and guard Avery Bradley (who they re-signed to a four-year, $32 deal when he became a restricted free agent this offseason) and several first round picks, including the sixth-overall and 17th-overall selections in last month’s draft.
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The Celtics targeted Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love, but Minnesota does not seem interested in the Celtics’ package. Instead, they used their daft picks to select former Oklahoma State Cowboys’ point guard Marcus Smart and former Kentucky Wildcats’ swingman James Young.
Celtics’ owner Wyc Grousbeck admitted he had higher hopes for his team.
“We had definitely hoped to try to make bigger moves this offseason, to be honest,” he said via Ben Rohrbach of WEEI. “Having said that, it takes two partners to make a trade, so we focused on longterm trying to build the club. We think we’re a better team now — positioned for the future, some new young talent and even more draft picks — but it’s been a patient summer so far, and I’m not always the most patient guy.”
There have been rumors the Celtics will ultimately decide to part ways with point guard Rajon Rondo, especially with the selection of Smart, but they have been reluctant this far.
Rondo was limited just 30 games while returning from his ACL injury and averaged 11.7 points, 9.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. He shot 40.3% from the field, 28.9% from beyond the arc and 62.7% from the free throw line.
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